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Name:        Nina Warner
Email Address:   cleo123@mtaonline.net
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Question:        I have a confederate 1,000 bill dated May 28, 1861.  "The Confederate States of America" in near perfect condition.  Do you know the value?

I also have a coin that is marked "Napoleon III Empereu Francais", it is hard to make out the year but I think it is 1864.  Do you know anything about this coin?

The CSA $1,000 note was only issued in 1861 and was the highest denomination issued by the Confederate government.  Uncirculated examples bring about $35,000 at auction.  "Near perfect pieces" (called Gem CU by collectors) are unknown for this note but if discovered, would probably bring multiples of that price.

For identification, genuine CSA $1,000 notes were printed on high quality bank note paper with red silk fibers. The note was signed by hand in brown ink by the CSA treasury officials, Clitherall and Elmore.  The serial numbers were printed by machine in blue ink. Since this was a interest bearing note, many have issue dates written by hand on the back. Many modern souvenir and advertising reprints exists. Some of the serial numbers of the most common reproductions are 49A, 88A, 176A and 297A. Reproductions have little or no collector value.

You'll have to be more specific about your French coin as virtually all denominations including gold coins of this period, show the Monarch, Napoleon III.  You might want to record the size, metal and legends and design thatare on the coin.

Sorry, I don't give investment advice. (Coin collecting is suppose to be its own reward!)

There were hundreds of medals, tokens, card counters and play money made to celebrate Admiral Edward Vernon's victory against the Spanish fleet at Porto Bello. At the time, the event was considered one of the greatest victories in British Naval History and both the British Colonies in America and the people in England celebrated the glory of the victory.

Lawrence Washington, the half brother of George Washington, served with Admiral Vernon and even named his estate on the Potamac, Mount Vernon.

To identify your medal requires a high resolution scan to identify the type. It may be, from the image that you pointed out Betts 277: Obv: THE. BRITISH. GLORY REVIVED BY ADMIRAL VERNON.. Full length figure to right, standing on border of medal; sword in right hand, baton in left. Cannon at right; ship at left; line enclosing legend. There are many reverses.  Your image is not good enough to identify.

Small cents debuted in 1857 with the Flying Eagle design. The Indian cent design was first issued in 1859. I've seen this before.  This is an altered 1892 cent.  The perpetrator, using a special tool called a 'graver', "chases", that is, moves the metal on the coin to create a zero from the "9".  I believe these coins were used as practice pieces (1892 cents in average circulated condition are worth less than $1) for more ambitious and lucrative alterations.

If you can find a 1900 cent, or any Indian cent that have a zero in the date, you will see that the shape of the "0"  is far different than the one on your alteration.

One of the most common questions received at CoinSite are about English Pennies. These coins seem to be a mystery because, unless you can read  Latin, there seems to be no indication of the country of origin. From the time of about Charles II in 1660 to 1967, a representation of Britannia has graced the reverse of these half dollar sized coins.

The effigy of Britannia was probably inspired by the Roman coins of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius that were minted in the second century A.D. The British model seems to be a  loose interpretation. Britannia allegorically represents the defender of Britain in a similar manner that effigies that grace most 18th and 19th century U.S. coins represent the defender of Liberty. The mid 19th century U.S. Seated Liberty design was certainly inspired by the English Britannia.

Your coin was struck under Queen Victoria (1837-1901) (Abbreviated Latin legend: VICTORIA D:G: BRITT:REG:F:D = Victoria by the Grace of G-D Queen of Britain and Defender of the Faith).  The reverse shows Britannia seated on a rock, her right hand is leaning on a battle shield with the symbol of Great Britain.  She is wearing a Roman Helmet and a loose fitting gown.  In her left hand she hold a trident (symbol of the mythical King Neptune but also a symbol of the sea and sea power).  Behind her, at her right, is a lighthouse and to her to left,a sailing ship.

Rarity and condition are the criteria by which the market judges coins. In average circulated condition an 1884 English penny brings about US $2.  Uncirculated pieces (new condition) of this date bring about $25+.

The dealer was correct.  In the 19th and 20th century most gold coins were far too much money to carry around for spending money. Instead, they were units of currency by which countries paid their debts to each other.  In the post 1970 financial world, gold coins became a way of holding gold.  Many trade unit pieces were "restruck", that is, minted again but with a previous year's date. A 1955 Five pesos (cinco pesos) is a bullion related coin whose price fluctuates with the price of gold.

Note that few gold coins, except for some modern pieces such as the Canada Maple Leaf, are struck in pure gold.  Most gold coins range in fineness from .500 fine (less than 14K) to about 22 Kt. Mexico 5 pesos of this period are .920 fine or slightly better than 22 Kt.

To find the approximate current value of a 1955 Mexico 5 pesos multiply the gold content (.121 pure gold troy ounce) against the world price of gold in dollars.  See the CoinSite Metals Page for current gold values.

You are mixing apples, oranges and a few bananas.

1. Silver Cents have never been minted in the United States.  The only possibility of a Lincoln cent being on a silver flan would be a rare occurrence where a silver dime blank was mixed with Lincoln cent blanks. Since a dime is smaller than a cent the planchet would be stretched to fit in the collar when it was struck. The resulting coin would be distorted and very thin.  It would also weigh 2.5 grams vs. the standard copper Lincoln cent weight of 3.11 grams.  Also, no silver dime blanks existed in 1975. They were discontinued in 1964.

2. Reengraved cents are done outside the mint for advertising or for some other promotion.  Reengraved cents are not a discovery or revelation.  For example, sets exist with each state impressed into a Lincoln cent.  These were promoted as a "collectible" by a private organization. Sometimes the concoction is plated.  The altered cents are often seen plated in gold or silver. Other common reengraved cents show the head of JFK facing Lincoln or Lincoln smoking. (See the article Reengraved Cents in the FAQ)

3. You are confusing your coin with a rare aluminum pattern that is dated 1974. Patterns are created by the Mint for the purpose of exhibiting a proposed coinage or a change to an existing coinage.  Congress was looking for substitute metals to replace the increasingly expensive copper in cents. Only thirteen aluminum cents still exist.  One is in the Smithsonian, the others in the hands of congressman who never returned them to the Mint. The solution to the copper cent problem was resolved in 1982 when copper cents were replaced with zinc cents plated with copper.

Reengraved and coins plated outside the Mint have no collector value.

The reverse of the Eisenhower dollar shows an Eagle landing on the moon. Above the eagle's right wing is the planet Earth.

You have a 1760 Bavaria (German State) Thaler (pronounced like "dollar" with a "T").  The obverse shows a bust of Maximillian III Josef.  The Abbreviated Latin legend, D.G.MAX.IOS.U.B.D.S.R.I.A. & EL.L.L (By The Grace of G-d Maximillian Joseph, Duke of both Bavaria's, Archdapifer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire (S.R.I.), Landgrave of Leuchtenberg (Bavaria) ).  The reverse shows a crowned Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, PATRONA BAVARIAE (Patron of Bavaria), around.

Value depends on condition.  Approximate value for average circulated pieces, $50.

Without some orientation, it will be tough to determine value but if you learn a little you might be able to guess on what is common and what might be rare. You might borrow coin catalogs and books from your local public library or you could try a local coin dealer and see what he says.  Even if you don't sell them, you might learn some valuable information.

The best way to determine market value is to hire an experienced numismatist to give you a written appraisal.  At least you will know what you have. Costs vary but an experienced numismatist can go through an accumulation quite rapidly, i.e. he doesn't have to look everything up.  Be ready to spend $100 -$500 for a valid appraisal. Most appraisers can tell at a glance whether it is worth spending the money on an appraisal so you might get some advice for little or no cost.

The only way to know for sure is to hire a trained numismatist to do a market appraisal on your hoard (see message above).   Knowledgeable people can see at a glance what you have, i.e. they don't have to look up most of the items. That means that you can rapidly determine the value of your coins.

A well done written appraisal will get you within 10% of the appraisal price when you go to sell.  It will also help you determine whether you have junk, gems or bullion items.  You might identify rare items that should go to auction and common items that can be sold to a local dealer.

You can contact the American Numismatic Association (see the Links Page) for referrals for numismatists in your area.

The first regular issue coin that shows a United States President is the 1932 Washington quarter. The first non-circulating silver commemorative to show a U.S. President is the 1900 Lafayette Dollar that shows conjoined busts of Washington and Lafayette. This reverse of this coin shows the monument of General Lafayette on horse back that was a gift of the American People to the city of Paris.

You have a 1961 Republic of Ireland, copper-nickel Florin (2 shillings.  20 shillings=1 pound ).  Irish coins have often used animals as an identifier to make it easier to recognize the many coin denominations.  Your coin features an Atlantic Salmon.

The zoo lays out as such:

Farthing (1/4 penny) - European Woodcock
1/2 Penny - Sow with Piglets
Penny - Hen with Chicks
3 Pence - Blue Hare
6 Pence - Irish Wolfhound
Shilling - Bull
Florin - Atlantic Salmon
1/2 Crown (2 shillings 6 pence) - Irish Hunter (horse)

The Florin denomination became obsolete in 1971 when the Irish coinage system became decimalized (100 pence= 1 pound).  The floirn then translated as 10 pence.  Though common in circulated grades, high grade and uncirculated pieces are scarce. About 2 million florins were minted in 1961. Approximate value range: US 25 cents - $25.

This piece was one of the official exposition "State Dollars" that were minted and sold at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915.  The fair's purpose was to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal, commemorate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean and to show the restored city of San Francisco, destroyed by earthquake and fire in 1906. The fair was open from February 20 to December 4, 1915 and had more than 18 million visitors.

It was a large fair with eleven exhibition halls and 240 other buildings. One of the most impressive exhibits was the Tower of Jewels.  Thousands of Austrian cut glass "gems" covered a 435 foot tower.  Flood lights illuminated the tower; the first use of indirect electric lighting.

Your piece shows a standing female figure facing right, holding a flag of California and a wreath.  A bear stands to her left.  A view of the exposition is beneath the flag.  Above is CALIFORNIA THE EXPOSITION STATE, below, San Francisco 1915. There is a beaded border.

There are several reverses to this medal. Yours shows the "Tower of Jewels" within a circle, CALIFORNIA THE EXPOSITION STATE, below, SAN FRANCISCO.

The medal is gilt brass with a reeded edge.  It is not unusual to see the gilt wearing through.  Approximate value range (depends on grade): $50 - $300.

You'll have to be more specific but the smallest current circulating Vatican coin is the 100 Lira.  It has the name of the current Pope and, in Italian, Vatican City.  I'm not aware of any Vatican coin with the Latin motto that translates as "This is the root of all evil".  If true, the Vatican is a wash with that "evil".

Notgeld (emergency money) was issued by towns or private companies in Germany during the coin shortage and great inflation of 1922-23.  Most Notgeld coins were issued between 1914 and 1923.  Your piece was issued by the German State of Westphalia.  Pieces with similar designs were issued in denomination up to 50 Million marks.  These issues exist in aluminum or bronze and are often plated (you can see plating wear on your piece). By 1923 the exchange rate for marks versus dollars reached 1 trillion marks for one U.S. dollar.  These interesting pieces are often the centerpiece for a Notgeld collection and a reminder of the dangers of inflation..

You have a "clipped Planchet" error caused by an accidental cut by the steel rods that cut blanks from coinage strip BEFORE the coin is struck. The rod overlapped a previously punched part of the strip causing the "half moon" clip.

The value of clips depend on the size and type of the clip (curved, straight, elliptical, partial, ragged).  Some coins can even have multiple clips. There have been few clipped Sacagawea dollars reported.  Estimated value $35+.

Circulated examples of this coin are plentiful.  People tend to hoard first year and last year issues. It is one of the least expensive 19th century coin to buy in uncirculated condition.  Though circulated examples will probably never be valuable, it can be the spark that sets off a quest for other numismatic treasures.

There are 4 German 1000 mark notes series dated 21.4.1910.  The red serial # number and seal comes with 6 and 7 digit serial numbers.  The former was printed until 1916 and is the more valuable of this group.  The later issue of the 1910 series notes have a green seal and serial numbers. This group was printed between 1918 to 1922. Again the six digit serial number variety is the more valuable.

These notes were was the note of choice for hoarding during the WW I years. Prior to WW I,  the foreign exchange conversion value was approximately US$250.  It became worthless during the great inflation that followed the economic collapse in Germany in 1922-23. At that time, one trillion German marks equaled one U.S. dollar. This note is so common that only uncirculated (new) notes from either group with 6 digit serial numbers have any collector value. Approximate value in crisp uncirculated condition, approximately US $25. Circulated examples bring US 10 cents or so.

The U.S. Treasury pays 80% of face value for mutilated coins.  Plated coins are considered damaged and not suitable for coinage therefore your quarter is worth 20 cents.

For more information about plated coins, Click here.

Comments:        I was very impressed with your knowledge of all the different types of coins.  My father has a small collection of coins and as a child I would often take them out and look at them, even when I wasn't suppose to.  I think they are facinating.  Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Name:        Susan Paitsel
Email Address:   tpaitsel@cfl.rr.com
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Question:        My husband and I have this coin and are curios as to it's origin and value.  It's date is 1786.  The bust on the front is facing to the right of the coin and appears to have a wreath on his head.  To the left of the head it says Carolus III, and to the right of the face it says, Dei Gratia. On the back of the coin it says, Hispan Et Ind R M E or F (I can't be sure), the last letter is M.  It has a crest on the back divided into 4 parts with 2 columns on either side and a crown above the crest.  The lower left section on the crest is a lion facing left and standing on its hind feet. 

I can't really tell what the top left and bottom right symbols are, they look like castle towers and the top right has a dent.  The crest also has a circle in the middle with a design I can't make out.  Any information you could offer would be greatly appreciated.  We've had it for quite some time and have always been curious about it.  My husband had taken it to a coin shop once and was told it wasn't worth very much, but we thought differently.  Thank you.

You have a 1786 silver Colonial Mexico 1/2, 1, 2, 4 or 8 Reales.  The denomination is reflected by the size. The 8 reales (pronounced ray-ál-lace, the plural of real (ray-ál) ).  (Real is the Spanish word for Royal.)

The coin features the bust of King Charles III of Spain, the abbreviated Latin legends around is CAROLUS III DEI GRATIA = Charles III By the Grace of G-d), the date is below.  The legend continues on the reverse (HISPAN ET IND REX M° (a number, the denomination is here)R  F.M. = King of Spain and the Indies, Mexico City Mint (?)Reales  F.M.= assayers, initials. The reverse show the crowned shield of Spain with alternating castles and lions representing the Spanish provinces of Castile and Leon.

The market value of this coin depends on the denomination and grade of the piece. Approximate value range in average circulated condition:

8 Reales (the size of a U.S. silver dollar) = $20 - $100
4 Reales (U.S. half dollar size)=$20-$50.
2 Reales (U.S. quarter size = $2 - $90.
1 Reales (U.S. dime size) - $2 -$50.
1/2 Reales = $2 - $50.

Note that damaged or cleaned coins are bring less than the prices above. Examples in uncirculated (new condition) or about uncirculated condition are worth far more.

The composition of nickel 5c pieces has been essentially unchanged from 1866, when the coin was introduced, to the present. Nickels contain 75% copper and 25% nickel.  The only deviation from this alloy occurred during the War years from 1942-1945 when nickel was considered a strategic metal and too important to be used in coinage.  War nickel composition is 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese.

I have no reason to doubt my friend's story, and from all the research I've done, it seems to be some sort of coin/medallion commemorating the Coronation of Louis I (17 year old son of Phillip V who died eight months after succeeding his father). If the coin is original, I can't seem to find anything about it anywhere. Before he brought it to me, some jackass coin dealer kept it for a week, then said he couldn't find any info on it, but offered him $3500 for it. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated, even if it is just a point in right direction.

Coins of Luis I are extremely rare.  You are describing a 1724, 8 Escudos from the Segovia Mint (assayer F). This is a one year issue, only 8 and 4 escudos were struck in that year under Luis.

There are several problems with your coin:

• 38 mm is the approximate diameter of an 8 escudos.  They weigh 27.07 grams and are .917 gold (22 Kt). 4 escudos are about 25 mm in diameter and weigh 13.54 grams and are .917 gold.    
• 8 or 4 escudos do not have reeded edges, that would be anachronistic for this period but they do have an edge decoration.

Genuine Segovia 8 or 4's dated 1724 can bring  as much as $100,000 when offered for sale at auction. Counterfeits in base metal that have been gold plated, abound. You might weigh your coin and see if it meets the above standards. You can also send the coin to the American Numismatic Association and let them authenticate it for you. (See their link on the CoinSite Links page for contact information).  They will tell you how to proceed.

You have a 1866 German (State of Prussia) Double Thaler. (.900 fine silver 37.037 grams).  The obverse shows the bust of King William I facing right, the German legend around, WILHELM KOENIG VON PREUSSEN (William King of Prussia). The reverse shows the crowned imperial eagle surrounded by the legend, EIN VEREINSTHALER  XXX EIN PFUND FEIN (One Double Thaler 30 to the Fine Pound).

Value depends on grade (condition) and Mint Mark (A=Berlin C=Cleve). Approximate range: $50 - $2,500.

You are referring to the Mexico gold 50 Peso.  That is the coin known as a Centenario .  The first issue was in 1921 and celebrated the 100th Year of  Mexico's Independence.  The coin was produced until 1931 and then again from 1944 to 1947.  From 1949 -1972 and possibly later, the Centenario was restruck with the date 1947.  This is a large and heavy gold coin that contains 1.2057 ounces of gold. Only the 1921 and 1931 issues bring a premium above the gold content.

To find the bullion value for this coin, multiply 1.2057 against the world gold price (see the CoinSite Metals Page for current prices).

You may be referring to the commemorative 50 Pence issued in 1994 for the 50 Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion.  There is a Copper-Nickel proof (price: about US$15) and a silver proof (price: about US$55).  You can no longer get these coins from the British Royal Mint but they should be available or can be ordered from your local coin dealer.